ANMF Lodges urgent application with the Tasmanian Industrial Commission – LGH ED

ANMF Branch Secretary Available for Comment at Mark Butler Door Stop
WHEN: September 30, 2021, TODAY at 1.45pm
WHERE: Outside the Launceston General Hospital
WHO: Tasmanian Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd will be joined by ANMF members

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) Tasmanian Branch has lodged an urgent application with the Tasmanian Industrial Commission (TIC) because of the ongoing staffing and workload crisis at the Launceston General Hospital (LGH) Emergency Department (ED). 

ANMF LGH ED members on Tuesday 21 September 2021 discussed their ongoing and sustained workload pressures which they fear are adversely affecting patient care. At this meeting ANMF members detailed the ongoing issues of access block within the department and their key concerns including unsafe workloads, unsafe working environment, patient safety concerns, staff burnout/stress and increased staff turnover, which is diluting the skill mix. 

In conjunction, these concerns are leaving the community in Launceston and the North of the State at risk when present to the ED for treatment. 

The ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd said today “The TIC application has been lodged out of sheer desperation of our members to have their workloads and dire staffing concerns addressed to improve patient safety in the LGH ED. 

“The application comes after dire shifts in the ED with up to 21 patients waiting for a bed, 60 patients being treated in the department and patients being ramped outside resus bays and cubicles. 

“This is a persistent and ongoing issue for our ED members, and it is unacceptable that this significant safety issues has not been appropriately addressed.” 

Earlier this year, the ANMF managed to negotiate an additional 21.3 FTE for the LGH ED, but with significant numbers of staff leaving due to the staff burn out and stress, the vacancies are now totalling over 30FTE. 

“With the expectation that COVID-19 will re-enter our state when borders open and further pressure will be placed on ED, the ANMF on behalf of LGH ED members have taken this action and further to this will be using other strategies to ensure that our members are safe and in turn the Northern community. The Department of Health and Tasmanian Government must step up to address these critical safety issues,” Ms Shepherd said. 

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Media contact:
Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary
Mobile: 0400 884 021
Email: Emily.Shepherd@anmftas.org.au